Gay H.S. Student Viciously Attacked While Classmates Watch

Two days before the assault, the attacker posted anti-gay remarks on the victim’s Facebook page.

On the day of the assault, students watched the bully lie in wait for his victim, while another student filmed the attack, and posted the violent assault on youtube and Facebook.

“I covered myself and shielded my body, and he kept hitting,” the gay student, who did not want to be identified, told ABC’s affiliate WSYX in Ohio. “Nobody did anything.”

Now the boy’s mother, Rebecca Collins of Chillicothe, has said she would seek justice for the Oct. 17 beating. The Ross County Sheriff’s office said it is investigating the attack but so far has not made any arrests. James Osborne, principal at Union-Scioto High School, located about 50 miles south of Columbus, confirmed the “unfortunate” attack, and said “charges have been filed.”

“It turns my stomach,” Collins told ABC’s affiliate station. “It’s my son. I don’t care, and they did it just because he’s a homosexual.”

Other students watched as the attacker waited for his victim to arrive in the classroom. He then shoved his prey to the ground, and repeatedly punched him in the face.

There is an anti-bullying law currently pending in the Ohio state legislature. Only 14 states have enacted laws that protect LGBT students.

“We are deeply disturbed to learn of yet another horrifying bullying incident, this time at Union-Scioto High School,” said GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard in a prepared statement.

“On the tail end of National Anti-Bullying Awareness Month, this brutal attack should be a call to action for everyone in Ohio to ensure that schools are safe for all students.”

School should be a safe place for all students, whether in Ohio or the other 49 states in this country of ours.

Schools must have a zero tolerance policy for bullying and violence, especially in high school. We have to continue to bring public attention to this problem, and combat unnecessary violence. My heart goes out to Rebecca Collins and her son.